A truly lovely festive read.

Krystal (Krys) has had a tough year, losing her beloved aunt Linda. She craves a winter getaway with boyfriend Brett, one where she can fully immerse herself into Christmas. She finds the perfect retreat, full of old memories that she wishes to banish - can she have the holiday she so desperately desires? Will her relationship with Brett thrive, or will local man Max and all of his hidden secrets turn out to be her Christmas saviour?

Fabulous characterisation and location, I loved the super festive touches that the author could include through Krys' job as a Christmas buyer. A bit predictable yes, but a wonderful cosy read.

Thank you Avon Books for the opportunity to read and review. Another lovely festive book by Phillipa Ashley - romance, friendships, cute dogs, snow and secrets. Happy to recommend.

Christmas would t be Christmas without a Phillipa Ashley book to get you in the mood for the festivities! The setting for this one is gorgeous- a snow covered Lake District village complete with cosy fires and a cast of loveable characters in need of some Christmas cheer. Krystal jumps in to help, despite ostensibly being there to take a break from her job. She and Max at first appear polar opposites, with his grumpiness and apparent dislike of the season and her being nicknamed Mrs Christmas. As events unfold, however, they pull together to bring joy to the village and find love along the way. This is a book that will make you laugh, cry and long for Krystal and Max to get the happily ever after they both so richly deserve!

The perfect read to get you in the festive spirit, The Christmas Holiday is another heartwarming romance read from Phillipa Ashley.

The main character is Krys, who is hoping for a relaxing Christmas in the Lake District with her boyfriend. However, it soon transpires that fate has other things in store for Krys. Kicking off her stay with a rocky start and a run of bad luck, she wonders why she came to the Lakes. Was it a mistake? Fortunately for Krys, however, the arrival of the handsome but enigmatic Max might just get her Christmas back on track...

Krys and Max's relationship is interesting because it's so multi-faceted. On the surface, they are merely cordial to one another as temporary neighbours. However, dig deeper and there's a sense of curiosity and interest in the wildly different lives the other leads. Krys and Max are drawn to one another, and this makes for a compelling read.

I also loved the mountain rescue subplot. Max is a volunteer in the local mountain rescue team - as are many of the other villagers Krys meets in the Lakes. This part of the story seems very genuine and well-researched, adding extra realism to the story whilst also highlighting the vital, and often life-saving, work that these brave volunteers do in real life.

The Christmas Holiday is an enjoyable read and it certainly got me feeling ready for Christmas!

This is a great book to kick start your Christmas reading journey. On a trip to the Lake District as a child, Krystle comes upon the most wonderful Christmas card looking house, that in adult life she manages to find & rent for the festive season, her favourite time of the year. She hopes spending time there with her boyfriend might bring them closer together, but the start of their time in the Lakes doesn't get off to a great start. A brilliant book, highly recommend it.

It’s never too early for a cosy Christmas read and this one by Phillippa Ashley ticked all the boxes for me. The prologue made me really invest in Krys & understand her motivation to find love & a precious home of her own & the drama of the opening chapters was a unique and gripping way to start the book. I was hooked! You know what you’re signing up for with a Christmas ‘chicklit’ read but I really like the way Phillippa Ashley writes without patronising her readers. The plot here (no spoilers) follows unpredictable twists and turns. I loved the Lake District setting & Krys’ christmassy job, the lost sentimental baubles & - well - everything! Highly recommended christmas read.

This is a gorgeous and enjoyable festive read. It is set in the Lake District which is a idyllic setting for a Christmas read. I hope that there are more books set in this location.
Krys and Max are both nice characters who are very much deserving of some Christmas Magic. There are some emotional themes in this book, but it still manages to be a feel-good and heartwarming read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

Another fantastic read by Phillipa Ashley. This one is a wonderful slice of Christmas set in the beautiful Lake District. Wonderful characters to get to know in a warm cosy feel good story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review. It was an absolute pleasure.

This is a lovely feelgood Christmas book with all you might expect and then some.

Krys returns to a house in the lakes which to her was the perfect Christmas venue, remembered from a childhood visit to the area. Somewhat predictably her plans went awry, but then there wouldn't be much of a story of they hadn't..

All of the characters are lovely and people you could imagine getting to know and enjoy being around. Even those who did things that may be upsetting had reasons for it and were not bad people.

I enjoyed the MRT and Santa storylines. All in all a lovely Christmas book

The beauty and danger of the Lake District is brought to life in this festive story. After a turbulent childhood, Krystal returns to the Lake District and the house of her childhood dream, for a relaxing break with boyfriend Brett. luckily local recluse Max is on hand to resume them when Brett decides to take a short cut through a flooded ford.
I enjoyed learning more about the volunteers in the Mountain Rescue Team and the amazing job that they do.
This is a lovely Christmas read to cozy up with on a dark miserable day.

I really enjoyed this story. It is a wonderful warm well written Christmas story. Great characters and interesting story line. The perfect read for the long dark nights. Recommend

A gorgeous Christmassy tale set in the Lake District. Krys (aka Mrs Christmas) decides to spend a few weeks in a house she could only once of dreamed of, but things do not go quite as she planned, but then she meets Max & together they rescue each other.

Once again, a brilliant book by Phillipa Ashley!!.
A lady,.Krystle who lives and breathes Christmas and also has a job sourcing and making displays etc for customers meets a man who detests Christmas and does everything to avoid people!!.
I love the way the characters are people you may know in your life and can relate to. They become someone who you start routing for, as I did for poor Max who has had a family tragedy that not many people know about. He's hiding away from the world and then literally has to rescue a lady called Krys. Her boyfriend Brett has come with her to a holiday home she has booked for Christmas to dress up this home she remembers as a child on a youth holiday, as a make or break attempt to save their relationship. He's wandered off to get a phone signal to get help and leaves her in their car in a stream that is dangerously high due to flooding and is starting to take the car away in the current. This meeting between Krys and Max starts a chain of events that changes both of their lives!. It's a joy to read!!.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC book for an honest review.
#Netgalley, #avonbooksuk, #phillipa.ashleyauthor

Krys has had a difficult and has booked a much needed break to help her heal. Things get off to a bad start with Brett her boyfriend, whom I found very annoying and unlikeable. When Brett cuts short his break, Krys finds friendship with Jake and his dog. A lovely Christmas tale in a beautiful setting. Gets you in the festive mood. Phillipa Ashley doesn't disappoint.

The poignant first chapter of this story tugs at your heartstrings, making you empathise with Krystle, the young girl who dreams of a traditional family Christmas. Fast forward years later, and successful Krys takes a holiday in the dream house she saw years before, but the reality is not what she expects.

Set in a wintry Lake District, the setting is vital to the story and well-described. The characters are believably complex, and the small community dynamic is authentic. It's a lovely festive story full of conflicts and poignant moments alongside community spirit, friendship and gentle romance. There is humour too, and a lovable collie integral to the couple's future happiness.

I love this festive story's characters, drama, humour and location.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

When Krystle and her boyfriend Brett take off to the Lake District to chase Krys' perfect Christmas, she couldn't forsee the changes this was going to bring into her life.

Stuck in their car in the middle of a flooded river, Max comes to their rescue. Krys feels an instant attraction, and tries to ignore it all because of her perfect Christmas dream and Brett.

But Krys gets to know the community of the village where she stays and meets the members of the MRT team. When they find out she is Mrs Christmas they turn to her for help with organising Christmas events. Max, who dispises Christmas, is there to help Krys where he can. Even if that means putting his dislike for the festive season aside and see Christmas through Krys' eyes; rediscovering the joy of the season.

I never read anything by Phillipa Ashley before, but will seek out other titles. Phillipa Ashley has a wonderful way of describing the Lake District, that makes you want to see it yourself. The book had a wonderful pace and I loved all the side characters, such a welcoming and warm community especially to someone like Krys.

This my no.1 favourite romance novel of 2022!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my eARC in return for my honest opinion.

I loved this latest book from Philippa Ashley.
Krys has rented her dream house in the Lake District for an extended Christmas holiday.
She quickly becomes part of the local community, including assisting the Mountain Rescue Team.
This is a lovely festive read, full of warmth and lovely characters.

Another stunning book by Phillipa. Set in The Lake District it is full of festive warmth and some new characters. Loved it!

Wonderful, fabulous, feel good, festive, thought provoking, and just brilliant!!! Phillipa Ashley has done it again beautifully!! Of all the Christmas books this is a definite must read this year!!
Krys has dreamed and planned the perfect Christmas getaway with her lovely boyfriend Brett to the Lake District, and despite her childhood memories, and what she has achieved things don’t work out as planned right from the start!!! However, there are Christmas decorations and events aplenty, along with some snow of course.
The characters are believable and fallible, love the dogs and the MRT, Outdoor adventures and of course the stunning Lakes and countryside which are very special to me!!
Five stars are not enough!! Highly recommended!!
Thank you to Netgalley for the early read, much appreciated!!

I adored this book! Set in the Lake District over Christmas it’s scenery and romance and love with moments of grief and joy. Sit down, get comfy and enjoy a blissful read